Yang Yang is a distinguished professor and the chair of the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. He also holds a faculty appointment in bioengineering and is a member of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA.

Since 2011, Yang has been the inaugural holder of the Carol and Lawrence E. Tannas Jr. Endowed Chair in Engineering. His research focuses on the design of high-performance, cost-effective and highly efficient organic and hybrid electronic materials and devices, including solar cells, metal oxide transistors and wearable electronic devices. In the field of organic photovoltaics, Yang’s work has enhanced the understanding of polymer morphology and led to many cutting-edge technologies, such as inverted organic solar cells, efficient polymer-based solar cells and photovoltaic polarizers for LCD applications. He holds 38 patents and has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers. He has also invented several new devices that set world records in energy efficiencies and his research had led to the founding of five startup companies.

“Looking to the future, revolutionary advancements, such as harnessing nuclear energy with water as a hydrogen fuel source, could lead to virtually unlimited energy — much like a small, controlled sun. These innovations hold the potential to not only reshape industries but also drive the creation of sustainable, cutting-edge technologies,” Yang Yang said.

Q. What are some of the main research projects that you are focusing on this academic year?
A. Our research group primarily focuses on thin-film solar cells utilizing next-generation materials. Our goal is to develop innovative technologies that reduce manufacturing costs while enhancing efficiency, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective solar energy solutions.

Q. How do you work with undergraduate and graduate students on these research projects?
A. Our research group actively collaborates with both undergraduate and graduate students. Under close supervision, students are assigned projects that focus on both fundamental principles and cutting-edge research directions. These projects often lead to academic publications and, in some cases, contribute to intellectual property, such as patents.

Q. How will your research be translated into new technologies?
A. Our research is closely aligned with industry needs, ensuring that our innovations have real-world impact. We actively collaborate with industry partners, who may license our technologies or file patents through UCLA, facilitating the transition from laboratory discoveries to commercial products. By bridging the gap between lab research and industry, we aim to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies that drive advancements in renewable energy and beyond.

Q. How could private funding through donor gifts enable you to further your research at UCLA?
A. Philanthropy plays a vital role in advancing our research at UCLA by providing flexibility and freedom to explore groundbreaking ideas without the constraints often associated with traditional government grants. Unrestricted support empowers us to explore innovative ideas, take calculated risks, and pursue ambitious projects that might not fit within the confines of traditional funding models.

Q. As the newly appointed chair of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, could you discuss your key priorities and goals for the department moving forward? How does your department cultivate connections between students and faculty?
A. Stepping into this new role presents many challenges, but I’m fortunate that my collaborative approach and dedication to making things happen will serve me well. One of my key priorities moving forward is to recruit outstanding junior faculty. We have three open faculty positions, and we are specifically looking for individuals who can contribute to pioneering technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to help us unlock the potential of next-generation materials.

To further improve communication and reengage among faculty and students, we identified the need for a platform where they could openly voice their opinions and concerns. For example, during the summer of 2024, we collaborated with the Materials Research Society (MRS) Student Chapter to explore simple yet effective ways to enhance communication across the Materials Science Engineering (MSE) community. Out of these discussions came the idea of the Faculty-Student (FAST) Social Hour, hosted by the MRS chapter on the third Thursday of each month. This informal event will provide a platform for students and faculty to connect, share ideas, and build stronger relationships within our MSE community. Through these initiatives, we aim to create an environment that fosters collaboration, encourages innovative thinking, and strengthens the bond between students and faculty.

Q. What are some of the most exciting emerging trends in materials science that you think will shape the future of the field?
A. One of the most exciting trends in modern science and engineering is how we can design and discover next-generation materials optimized for cutting-edge applications. For example, could we develop lightweight materials to revolutionize airplane construction, or create advanced energy materials capable of withstanding extreme high temperatures for aircraft propulsion? Looking to the future, revolutionary advancements, such as harnessing nuclear energy with water as a hydrogen fuel source, could lead to virtually unlimited energy — much like a small, controlled sun. These innovations hold the potential to not only reshape industries but also drive the creation of sustainable, cutting-edge technologies.